The Boys in the Boat is a visually stunning and heartwarming experience powered by a true story that deserves to be told. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
The Boys in the Boat is releasing in theaters across the United States this Christmas, December 25, 2023. The film is based on a true story and stars Joel Edgerton (as Coach Al Ulbrickson), Callum Turner (as Joe Rantz), Peter Guinness (George Pocock), Sam Strike (Roger Morris), Thomas Elms (Chuck Day), Jack Mulhern (Don Hume), Luke Slattery (Bobby Moch), Hadley Robinson (Joyce Simdars), Bruce Herbelin-Earle (Shorty Hunt), Wil Coban (Jim McMillin), Joel Phillimore (Gordy Adam), and James Wolk (Coach Tom Bolles). The film was written by Daniel James Brown and Mark L. Smith and directed by George Clooney. Check out the details in my parents guide movie review.
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The Boys in the Boat Movie Quotes
The Boys in the Boat Parents Guide
In The Boys in the Boat: During the height of the Great Depression, members of the rowing team at the University of Washington get thrust into the spotlight as they compete for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The Boys in the Boat Age Rating Parents Guide
Let’s take a look at what concerned parents need to know about the age ratings of the series before letting their younger children watch The Boys in the Boat.
Language: The Boys in the Boat contains stronger language, with profanity used throughout. Lookout words include a**h*le, sh*t, bullsh*t, a**, pr*ck, and phrases like “Christ sakes.”
Mature Content: The biggest lookout in the film, other than the strong language, is some of the adult situations and themes. Characters in the film push themselves to the brink of athleticism and show characters with blisters, bloody feet, and other injuries. The film is based on a true story during the depression and shows characters who are very poor, unable to find work or pay for shelter, and hungry without food to eat. Characters are also smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol, becoming intoxicated.
Age Rating of the Movie The Boys in the Boat: A24 The Boys in the Boat movie rating has a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America – MPAA ratings – for language, and smoking use and the parental guidelines advisory recommends it for mature audiences, an older audience, an adult audience, young viewers, young adults, little kids, older kids, and teens aged 13 years and older. The suggestion of parental guidance or a legal guardian (adult guardian) for this restricted PG-13 category is highly suggested for young children, teenage children. and younger audiences under 13 years of age in this PG-13-rated motion picture for adult material. The minimum age recommendation is 13 years old.
Overall Thoughts
George Clooney’s latest directorial venture, “The Boys in the Boat,” glides onto the screen as a heartfelt underdog story set against the backdrop of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. But does it leave a lasting impression or sink beneath the weight of familiarity?
The film’s core strength lies in its real-life foundation. The journey of these Depression-era University of Washington rowers, defying odds and Ivy League snobbery to clinch Olympic gold, is inherently captivating. Witnessing their grit, teamwork, and determination is emotionally stirring.
The cast of The Boys in the Boat, led by a charming Callum Turner as Joe Rantz, delivers believable and endearing portrayals. Joel Edgerton commands the screen as Coach Ulbrickson, the tough-as-nails mentor who pushes the boys to their limits.
Clooney uses the camera masterfully, capturing the breathtaking beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the electrifying intensity of the rowing races. The editing seamlessly blends archival footage with recreated scenes, adding a layer of historical authenticity.
While the premise of The Boys in the Boat is unique, the film often falls into predictable beats of the underdog sports movie genre. Character arcs and emotional crescendos feel preordained, leaving some viewers yearning for a more unconventional approach.
The film tackles the backdrop of Nazi Germany but primarily utilizes it as a platform for American exceptionalism. This approach, while uplifting, lacks the depth to grapple with the complex historical context.
The Boys in the Boat is a visually stunning and heartwarming experience powered by a true story that deserves to be told. However, its reliance on familiar storytelling tropes and underdeveloped characters prevents it from reaching its full potential. It’s an enjoyable crowd-pleaser that leaves you feeling good, but those seeking a more nuanced and insightful historical drama might be left wanting more.
